- Kratom, sometimes referred to as “gas station heroin,” is an herb with opioid- and stimulant-like effects.
- It can be fatal in very high doses but is not subject to much federal regulation.
- So states and cities have been banning kratom sales or enacting rules and restrictions.
Yeah kratom has been catching shit for at least a decade. Despite the fact that it’s safer than alcohol and has been shown to be effective in helping opiate addicts recover. Pharma companies can’t make money off it so obviously it should be illegal
But why can’t they? It seems like they could just grow it and cover the entire spectrum of pain management if they wanted to.
It can’t be patented because they didn’t invent it. So while they could sell it, it’s much less profitable. One of many perverse incentives that exist in our insane IP system.
Wish I could tell you. They didn’t do it with pot either despite it having plenty of medicinal applications. Maybe they perceive it as more of a threat than a money making opportunity? It’s less addictive than other opiates (from what I understand) and we know that addiction was part of their business model with opiates . It helps people recover from addiction in a way that doesn’t require life-long treatment so maybe it would be a net-negative in their eyes. Idk I just woke up and I’m rambling lol